[s-cars] S4 (B5) clutch question(long)

[William Perron]

Hey Guys-
Posting this here for a friend becasuse I know some of
you have, or have had experience with the B5 S4.

Car--2001.5 S4, 57k miles, normally driven(not beat
on)
Problem- In parking lot after work car would not go
into gear.  Towed to dealership (car is a CPO). 
Dealership looks at it for 10 minutes and says it is
likely pressure plate failure(apparently common?!!). 
It will not be covered by CPO because it is a "wear
item" and will be $2600 for R&R.   Decide we will be
diagnosing and repairing this ourselves. 

Interesting part--  Rent a trailer to get it home. 
Decide to try and see if we can get it up on the
trailer under its own power.  Start car, clutch in and
the car goes into reverse no problem.  Back out of the
spot it is in.  Clutch in--this time it will not go
into gear.  Turn off car. Put in 1st, clutch in and
start car.  Everything normal--drive car up onto
trailer.

Questions:
1.  Does this seem like a Pressure plate if it heals
itself?  My guess is it is hydraulic since it *seems*
to be intermittant.  Tried pumping the clutch when it
wouldn't go into gear--but this didn't help??  Any
other diagnosis tips? (saw Vincent's explanation the
other day--which has been helpful)
2.  If it is the pressure plate--we are planning on
upgrading to the RS4 clutch and PP.  Can anyone verify
that the RS4 PP (springs especially) are beefier?  We
are hesitant to just put in a replacement stock
clutch, as the parts guy said there haven't been any
revisions to the PP despite the techs/others saying
this is  a "common B5 S4 problem".

Thanks for listening,
Bill Perron
Current Audis:
'95.5 S6 Wagon
'97 cabriolet


 
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